Why is a quarterhorse called a quarter horse?

Answer 1

Quarter Horses got their name from a very distinct characteristic - they could beat any other breed of horse at short distances up to a quarter mile. After this, the leggier Thoroughbreds could beat them, but not at the short sprint. Quarter Horses were bred for their sprinting ability, because a fast sprinting horse could catch up to a cow or calf breaking off from the herd and get it back with the herd before they got too far away.

Quarter Horses are still raced in the Plains and West, by the way - if you happen to be out in the US west of the Mississippi River look for local horse shows and you might see a Quarter Horse race.

Answer 2

Quarter horses are so called because of their speed at sprinting (galloping) a quarter-mile. Some say that the name comes from the hefty hind-quarters of the horse; others say that the breed is one-quarter each of four other breeds, including the Thoroughbred.

Nonetheless, it is the quarter-mile speed which gives the quarter horse its name.

Answer 3

Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horse in races of a quarter mile or less, where some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph.

long ago when people raced horses through streets and vallys there was a fast horse. Guess what it was. Not a thourobred not Evan standerds. But a Quarter horse. the flew a quarter mile. before they were called Quater horse they were Called Bulldog horses. Undesirable. Then they bred it witha thourobred and made a Quarter horse.!!!

Answer 4

The name originates as "Celebrated American Quarter Mile Running Horse", horses bred for running short sprints, rather than longer races like the Throughbred.

Originally Quarter Horses got their name from being able to beat any other horse at distances up to a quarter mile, including Thoroughbreds. This is becaus Quarter Horses were bred for the sprint, a sudden burst of speed that would allow them to catch up with a cow breaking from the herd and bring it back before the herd split.

Answer 5

Originally, this breed was bred to race in quarter-mile competitions. With short, powerful bursts, this is how the breed is known to have adapted the name. It, in fact is a whole, complete horse.

Answer 6

They were originally called Quarter Pathers (Among other names.) Due to their ability to sprint for a quarter mile. The name was changed to Quarter Horse when the American Quarter Horse Association was formed.

Answer 7

They originally got the name quarter horse from races that used to be held where the horses would run a quarter mile.